Door-control apparatus



Dec. 30, 1930.

.R. HILL DOOR CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Aug. 25, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR .Keu 612 //LZ zls ATTORNEY Dec. 30, 1930.

R. HILL 1,787,073

DOOR CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Aug. 23, 1927 9 sneaks-sheet 2 &

INVENTOR 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 5 A n J m m n H v 1 6 7/5 C1 w. /9 m w u n. 5 .5 5 5 5 5 6 m w n m Dec. 30, 1930. R. HILL DOOR CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Aug. 23

Dec. 30, 1930. R. HILL I DOOR CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Aug. 23, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 V INVENTOR ieuZenf/Zli W I 5 ATTORNEY Dec. 30, 1930. R. HILL 1,787,073

DOOR CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Aug. 23, 1927 iii .765

9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 30, 1930. v R, HILL 1,787,073

noon CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Aug. 25, 1927 9'sneis-sheet 6 lflllllilllll IIIIHIIIH INVENTOR g zeuen HZ/ZL Dec. 30, 1930. R. HILL D OOR CONTROL APPARATUS- 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Aug. 23, 1927 INVENTOR fiewen/ HLZL BY Q 7W %L'5ATTORNEYS Dec. 30, 1930. R. HILL DOOR CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Aug. 23, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR jzea5eiam- "7%25ATT0RNE S Dec. 30,

R. HILL DOOR CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Aug. 25, 1927 III,

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9 Sheets-Sheet 9 lNVENTOR 46822 H BY late nted Dec. 30, 1930 nnrrs s rm OFFICE V: REUBEN HILL, 015 DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNQRTO SABGENT &. GREENLEAI, INQ,

I OF ROCHESTER, YORK, A CORPOBATEON G NEW YORK IDdOR-CONTROL APPARATUS Application filed August 22, 1927. Serial no. 214,969.

The present invention relates'to door control apparatus and more especially to a closing and checking device for door-s and has for an object the provision of a unitary device which is extremely compact so that it can be; applied to the door amb or casing or the door itself with a minimum amount of labor.

A. further obyect is to provide a door closing device which, when installed within the door jamb or in the door, will be substantially concealed. v

A further object is to provide a concealed door closing mechanism combined hinge element.

A tnrther object of the invention is to provide a simple and effective mechanisnifor checking or retardingthe closing movement of the door. I

A further object is to provide all of the ad vantages of the usual exposed door closing devices in a concealed door closmg device.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combina-:-

tions of parts, all as will he hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the endot the specification.

In the drawings: I,

1 is a sectional elevation of my device showing the parts as they are when the door.

approximately halfway between extreme open and closed position i i 3 Fig. 2 is view similar to Fig. 1 showing the positions of the closed. I

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Figuresl and 2 sl'iowing tllBPitIt-S as they are when the-door is in extreme open positions Fig. i is a transverse vertical section on the line 4 -4 of-Fig. 1 lookingin the direc-.

tion of the arrows.

i Fig, 5 is a verticalelevation, with certa n parts in. section. otthe outside of the door iamb showing my device 11113081133011 therein.

Fi 6 is a vertical section taken on the line;

(36 oi Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of a ratchet wheel and attached sleeve wh1ch,co-'

operates with the master member.

with a parts when the door is" taken.

line77 of Figure 2. I

' 1g. 8 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Figure 1. a

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section taken on the line 9+9 of Fig. 3, showing the adjustable metering or bleed valves for the vacuum and pressurecylinders. I I

Fig. 10 is a detail fragmentary view of the master member with the cover plate for the spring removed.

Fig. 11 is a detail of the master member or rotary cam element. I I

Fig. 12 is fragmentary view of a portion of the outer casing illustrating the positions of the holes for insertinga winding key and for-releasing the holding pawl for the main spring. I I

Fig. 13 is a detail of the hinge portion which isattached to the door. 1

Fig. 14 isa horizontal section taken on the line 14.11 of Fig. 2 with the door in closed position.

Fig. 15 is a horizontal section similar to Fig. 14c showing the parts with the door in extreme open position. I

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary detail showing the crosshead and guide therefor the crosshead being'removed from the guide for the sake of clearness.

- Fig. 17 is a vertical section taken'through one of the retarding cylinders.

18 is a detail of the winding key.

' Fig. 19 is a sectional view, illustrating a modified form otthe device. f

Fig. 20 is a sectional view on line 2020 of Fig; 19 showing the check valve used with this modification. a

"Fig; 21 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 19 but showing a still further modificatio n.

-:.Fig. 22 is a sectional view'taken on line 22 22 showing the check valves used with thelattermodification. I i f Similar reference, numerals apply to similar parts throughout the specification; Referring to the drawings, 1 designates: generally the casing enclosing most of the operating parts of my device. The door jamb is indicated at 1 and is suitably cut away at 1 to provide for the installation of the casing 1 therein as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 14. The front or outer edge of the casing 1 may be provided with an outstanding portion 2 terminating in the usual I knuckle for the insertion of the hinge pintle 3. The other hinge section 4 is constructed of anyfdesired shape and is providedwith the usual screw holes so that it may be secured to the door 5 in the usual manner. Outstanding lugs 6, 6 are formed on the face of hinge section 4 as seen best in Figs. 1, 14 and 15. A link element 7 is pivotally connected at one end to the lugs 6, 6 by means of a pin 8 secured at its ends in said lugs. The link 7 extends through an opening in the front of the casing 1 and is pivotally connected at its inner end to a crosshead 9 by means of a vertically positioned pin 10 havingits ends secured in lugs 11 11 formed on the crosshead, see Figs. 1, 5 and16.

Thecrosshead 9 is guided for reciprocating movement at the top ofthe casing 1 by means of a channel shaped guideelenient 12 riveted to the, top ofthe casing and having inturned portions 13, 13 which engage lugs 14, 14 on the crosshead 9. V V

' The means formoving the crosshead in a direction to close the door comprises preferably a master member or cam element 15 pivotally mounted upon a pin 16 having its ends secured in the side walls of casing 1. The upper portion of the cam element is roughly of triangular shape (see Fig. 11). and at its apex it is provided with a cut out or slotted portion 17 which forms a sliding connection with crosshead' 11 by means of lugs 18 on each side of the crosshead 11 which are engaged within the slot 17 It will be seen that the. sides of the slot engage the lugs 18 to move the 'crosshead by means of a cam action. The particular shape of the element 15as shown is not material, it being apparent that a crank-connection between pin 16 and lugs 18 would serve the same purpose.

I provide means for constantlyurging the cam element 15;tow,ard counter clockwise r0- 'tation around pin 16 as seen in Fig. 1. Referring to Fig. 6 it will be seen that the element 15 comprises a pair ofupstanding forked portions formed at the top of a hollow cylindrical casing portion 19. i A combined ratchet and 5 gear wheel 20 is secured in a depression inthe rearface of cam 15 and concentric with the cylindrical casing portion 19. A sleeve 22 is'constructed integrally with the wheel 20 and projects forwardly from said wheel toward the front of the casing 1. A pin 16 .is

secured at its ends in the walls of the casing 1 and has an enlarged central portion 23which bears at eachend against the casing for the purpose of centering the pin 16 therein. The

sleeve 22 fitsarou'nd the enlarged portion23 of pin 16 and is held from turning about said pin by a pin 24 which passes through a hole in pin 16 and is engaged in a notch 25 in the sleeve 22. (See Figs. 6, 6 6 and 10.)

A coil spring 26 fits within the hollow cylindrical portion19 of the cam 15 and is secured at its outer end to the inner face of the wall thereof at 27. The inner end of the coil spring 26 is secured by a pin 28 to the sleeve portion 22 ofthe-gearelement 20. (See Fig. 6.) The element 20 is provided with teeth 29 by means of which it may be rotated so as to wind the'inner end of said spring around the sleeve. 22 to produce the desired tensioning effect. A winding key 30 (see Fig. 18) is adaptedto be inserted through a hole 31 in the face of the casing 1 so located as to cause the teeth 32 of the winding key to properly mesh with the teeth 29 on the element 20. It

will be seen that by turning the winding key in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 10 the spring 26 will be tightened. I provide a spring pressed pawl 33 on'the rear wall of casing 1 adapted to engage the teeth 32 to hold the element 20 from reverse movement. For the purpose of releasing the pawl 33,Iprovide a slot 34 in the face of easing 1 intowhich an implement. may be inserted to depress the pawl to disengage it from teeth 29. By this means the tension in spring 26 may be readily diminished.

A plate element 35 closes the front of the hollow cylindrical portion 19 of cam 15 and is secured to the face of the cam by means of ears 36: adapted to be held in corresponding shaped depressions 37. The plate 35 is formed on its lower side with a hook shaped cam 38 for a purpose which will be later brought out.

In the lower end of easing 1 I secure a casting 39v roughly shaped in the form of an inverted U. In the upstanding portions of the casting 39 I construct vertically, extending cylinders 40 and 41. Cylinder 40 is somewhat larger than cylinder 41 for a purpose which willbe hereinafter made clear. As shown in.

Fig. 1, the cylinder 40 operates by a vacuum and the cylinder 41 operates by pressure. Pistons 42 and 43 are provided respectively in the cylinders 40 and 41. Piston rods 44 j. i

vide'a flat portion 46 which is provided with 1'1 two ports 47 and 48 as shown in Fig. 7, which form respectively the ends'of ducts 49 and 50 ioa leading to thelower ends of the respective cylinders 40 and 41. The ports 47 and 48 are adapted to be closedby a valve element indicated as 51' (see Figs. 1 and 2). The valve element 51 comprises a bar 52 pivoted'at 53 on casting 39. The-bar 52 has a disk 54 of leather or-rubbersuitably secured to the face thereof. This disk 54 is adapted to fit over cylinders 40 and 4]. are in free communicai so cylinder 41 when the piston 42 is travelling it her 64.

issuers and close the ports 47 and 48. I The bar 52 is normally spring pressed upward in the direc tion tending to uncover the ports 47 and 48 by means of spring 54' hearing respectively at its upper. and lower ends against the bar 52 and casting 39. An adjustable cam 55 provided with a curved cam face 55 is mounted on the upper side of bar 52. The curved cam face 55 is adapted to engage a cooperating face 56 on the cam 15. vVhen the cam faces 55 and 56 are 111 Contact as shown inF1g.1,the

valve disk 54 will be held down securelyto cover the openings 47 and 48. it will be seen that when the cam 15 rotates 111 a counterclockwlse 1 direction as shown in Fig. 2, cam 56 will pass out of contact with the cam 55 thus showing the spring 54 to raise bar 52 carrying upwar ly the valve disk 54 to uncover the open'ings 47 and 48. To compensate for wear of the disk 54, I prefer to mount the cam 55 for upward adjustment with relation to bar 52. This is accomplished by means of adjusting screws 57 inserted through holes 58 at the ends of the cam 55 and having their lower ends secured in the upper face of bar'52.

Nuts 59 are threaded on bolts 5'? and are adapted to bear upwardly against the lower side of the element 55 so as to hold the element in fined position of the bolts 57. At this point it may be stated that the engagement between cams 55'and 56 may be made tight enough to produce a braking efiect on the element 15 so as to give a more uniform retarding action.

It will be seen that when disk 54 is moved so as to uncover the ports 4'? and 48 bothtion with the atmosphere through the ducts 49 and 50. I provide a lay-pass between the ducts 49 and 50 as shown in dotted lines in i 1 and Fig. 7 and in full lines in Fig. 8.

The by pass includes a check valve 60 and ducts 61 and 62 connecting the valve with ducts and 50. The check valve mechanism 6O constructed in an opening 60" bored into the casting 39.

p This opening is connected with ducts 49 and 50 by means oi? short ducts 61 and 62. At the end of the passage '61 adjacent to the opening 60, l

provide a seat 63 for a spherical valve memi the opening. 60" I insert a plug 65 ha g a portiou'of its periphery cut away as 66 to form a passage around the plug between the ducts 61 and 62. Plug V 65 is held in place by a cap member 6'? suitably screw-threaded within the opening 60. A tight joint is obtained between the flange on cap 67 and the casting 89 by means or a gasket 68. I

The operation of the check valve serves to permit air to pass from cylinder 40 to downwardly of cylinder 40 and when the openings 4'? and 4-8 are closed by the disk 54. This occurs when the door is being opened. It will be apparent that since cylinder 4O is larger than cylinder 41a greater volume of air'is displaced from cylinder 40 initial vacuum produced in a cylinder, when the piston is moving outward, ofiers a higher resistance than an initialpressure in the same cylinder when the movement of the piston has been reversed.

ositive means may be provided for lift- 1 ing the valve disk 54 from the openingsv 47 and 48. ,Tlns' comprises the cam hook 38 ireviously 'inentioned, which is adapted to cooperate with a lug 69 on the cam element 55 so as to bearupwardly on saidlug 69 and lift the valve 51 when the cam elen'ien f; 15 has been oscillated to a position in- :licated in Fig. 2.

Each of the cylinders 40 and 41 communicates with the atmosphere at their lower ends through passages 70 and 71. The passages 'ZOand 71 may be restricted to any do amount by means of metering or bleed valves 72 and 73 (see Figs. 1 and 9) screw-threaded into the lower part of casting 89 as to be adjustable in and outthereof. Apertures 74 and '7 5 are provided on the edge of the casing 1 to permit the insertion therethrough of a screw driver to engage the ends. of needle valves 72 and 73. It will be seen that by this means I am able to regulate the speed with which the door will close. p

In the oper ationof this form of my device assuming the'parts are in the position shown in Fig.2, it will be seen that themaster member or cam element 15 has been swung to extreme left hand posit-ion within the casing 1 and the door 5 is closed; also the ports 4'Z'and 48101 the cylinders 40 and '41 are uncovered. When the door is being opened th link? and crosshead9 move outwardly to the right in Fig.2- This also causes rotation ofthe cam element 15 by reason of its lug and slot connection with the crosshead 9; It 1s apparentthat when-the cam element 15 is rotated in this direction the ten-' sion on spring 26 will be increased.

As the cam element 15 rotates cam 56 on said element strikes theiiace 55 of cam 55, depressing thevalve disk 54 to cover the openings 47 and 48, and it will be obvious that the valve disk 541s held in downward position all during the time the door is opened unt l it has almost reached its closed position. With the ports 49 and 50 closed, the air in the lower end of the larger cylinder 40 passes through the check valve 64 and ducts 62rand 50 to the lower end of the smaller cylinder 41 in which the piston 43 is at this time moving upwardly, so it will be seen that the airis displaced from cylinder 40 into cylinder41 and at the same time thepressure in both cylinders is slightly increased. This does notphowever, appreci ably increase the resistance to'the opening of the door. When the door has reached its extreme open position the parts will be in the position shown in Fig. 3.

' by the person opening it, the springJ26 will cause the cam element to start torotate in a counterclockwise d1rect1on,' thus mov-' ing the crosshead to theleft as shown in Fig.

inder 40 and an elevated pressure in cylinder 1 41 since the ports 47 and 48 are closed and the check valve will'not permit flow of air :90 from the cylinder 40 to cylinder 41.

It will be understood that during most of the closing movement of the door-the pressure and vacuum conditions existing respec tively in cylinders 41' and 40' will only be relieved through the metering or bleed valves 72' and 73, which allow only a very slow move- 'ment' of air therethrough. Thus the two cyl- V inderscheck the speed with which spring 26 would otherwise close the door. 7

The door closes, at a relatively slow speed position. 'VVh'en this pointis reached. the cam-15 has swung far enough so that the cam face56 passes free from the face 55 of cam .55 allowing the spring 54 to lift the valve 1 disk 54 from the openings 47 and 48 causing a sudden release of the pressure and vacuum conditions within the cylinders 40and 41 and fillOWillgthQ spring 26 to exert itsfull eilect upon'the door. This speedsup the door suf erly operated.

I have described the cylinders as operating wit-hair pressure but it"is also within the .scope of my invention to operate said cylin- "ders with liquid. The term fluid therefore is used herein in a generic'sens'e including Assuming that the door is now released until within a few. inchesof its final closed 7 ficiently so that the usual latch willbe prop-' In'the modification disclosed in Figs. 19. e and 20. I have shown but a single retarding;

cylinder 80 provided in the casting 81, Slll1-- ilar to casting 39. A duct 82 leading from the lower end of the cylinder 80 has its upper end closedqby a valve 83 provided on bar 84. A check valve generally indicated at 85. (see Fig 20) is provided in the cylinder casting 81. This valve serves to control communica tion between the duct 82 and the atmosphere. A hollow plug member 86. is provided with an inlet 87 communicating with the hollow portion; the plug is screwed into a hole formed in the casting and said hole connects with the duct 82. A valve seat is provided i in the hollow portion of the plug and 00- operating with said seat is a ball valve mem ber 87 \Vhen the piston is travelling upward in cylinder the check valve is automatically opened to allow air to pass freely therethrough to the cylinder. The check valve closes, however, when the piston is travelling s5 downward by reason of the pressure forcing the hall member against its seat. When the check valve is closed, air 'may pass slowly from the cylinder to the'atmosphere through the metering valve 88. similar to the valve '73 in Fig. 1. i i

The operating means for the valve 83 in this form oi the invention comprises, a spring 89 adapt-ed to normally lift the valve to uncover the end otduct 82, and a cam releasing elementQO. The releasing element 90, cent prises a link pivoted at 91 to'the casing 1 The lower end' of the link is widened and has formed therein a segmental slot 90 adapted to engage a lug '92on the rod 84. The slot is eccentric to the pivot point 91 of link 90 so that the upper end of said slot, as seen in Fig. 19, lies somewhat closer to pivot 91 than the lower end. This arran ement provides means for lifting the valve 83 when the link 91 is swung counter-clockwise.

A plunger 98 is pivotally connected to the upper end of link90 above pivot 91. The plunger projects through a hole in the casing 1 and lies in a position so that its end will be struckby the hinge ofthe door as it closes, thus causing the'upper end of link to swing back and moving thesegmenta'l slot along the lug 92 to force it upward andthusraise valve 83 to uncover. the upperend-of duct 82. A compression spring 9.4""bears. at one end against the link 90 and at the other end against the inner wall of casing l and serves to hold the lower end of link 90 to its extreme left position as viewed in Fig. 19.

' The link 7 and crosshead 9 are in all respectssimilar to links 7 and 9. The cam ele merit 15 difiers from cam 15 by the fact that it has but the single link connection to cylinder 80 and in place of the curved cam face 56 I have provided a cam portion 56 having a flat surface which lies at right angles to a radial line through the pin 16 on which cam 15 'is mounted. r

A spring 95 is fixedly secured at one end to the casing 1 and projects across the casing in a position to engage cam 56*. It will be seen that this spring 95' serves to aid in the retarding action of the door to some ex- 7 tent until a point is reached where the door is nearlvclosed and the corner of ca1n56 has reached the center of its movement and no longer depresses the spring 95. When the flat face of cam '56" is in'engag'ement with spring 95 it will be seen that there be a latching action, that is, the parts will be frictionally held in this position and itwill take slightly more force to move the door for the first few inches of its movement than it will after the cam 56 and spring 95 have separated. 7

Summing up the operation of this modification it will be apparent that when the door is closed the valve 83 will be raised and the flat surface of cam 56 will be in engagement with spring 95. Upon opening the door the movement will be opposed to a slight extent by the corner of the flat surface 56 riding along and depressing the end of spring 95, however, after the spring has been depressed as far as the cam 56 will make it move there is no longer any resistance oifered to the opening'movement.

l lVhenthe door has been opened a short distance it will be seen that the hinge passes out of contact with the end of plunger 93 allowing it to move outwardly dueto the force of spring 94 at the lower end of link 90 and when this occurs the slot 90 moves along the lug 92 forcing it down and seating the valve disk to close the duct 82. I p The cylinder is open to the atmosphere, while the door is being opened, by the provision of the check valve which offers no resistance to air passing into the cylinder.

' When the opened door has been released the spring tensioned cam 15 serves to draw it closed and forces the piston downwardly in cylinder 80.- The air displaced by the piston passes slowly out the valve 88 and no air can escape out the passage 82 by reason of the check valve being forced against its seat and by reason of the valve 83 being in closed position. When the door reaches a point a few inches from closed position the hinge will strike plunger 93, moving the link 90 and lifting valve 83. The air will now rush into cylinder 80 through passage 82 and the spring 26" as well as spring 95 will accelerate the closing action to snap the door shut.

The modified. form shown in Figs. 21 and 22 is practically like that shown in Fig. 1 with the exception. that the cylinders are independent of each'other. The cylinders 100 I and 101 are provided with ports leading into ducts 102 and 103 respectively. Check valves 104 and 105 similar to check valve in Fig. 19 are used to provide one-way communication between the passages 102 and 103 to the atmosphere. The passageways 102 and 103 terminate in ports closed by valve 106 similar to the arrangement of Fig. 1.

The operation of this modification is the same as in Fig. 1 with the exception that when the door is being movedto open position thecheck valves i-op'en to connect the interior of the cylinders with the atmosphere instead of with each other. The valve 104: opens inward to allow airto enter beneath the upwardly moving piston in the cylinder 100 and thevalve 105 opens outward to allow air to escape from under the downwardly moving piston in cylinder 101. v

When the door is swinging closed the check valves 104: and 105 remained in closed position so thatall of theair must pass into cylinder 101 and out of cylinder 100 through their respective metering valves in a manner explained in connection with I I claim as my invention: Y 1. Ina door closing device, the'combination of a door, a door jamb having a chamber provided therein, a pivotally mounted element in said chamber, a slidably mounted operating member forsaid element, a link connecting said member with said door, and a spring operatively associated-with said element and tending to move it in one direction, whereby said door is urged to a closed position.

2. In a door closing device, the combination of a door, a door jamb having a chamber provided therein, an element insaid chamber pivotally mounted on an axis transverse to the plane of the door in closed position, a link operatively connected with said element, a link connecting said slide with said door, and a spring operatively associated with said element and tending to move it in one direction about its pivotal axis, whereby said door is urged to aclosed position. I 3. In a door closing device, the combination of a door, a door jamb having-a chamber provided therein, a pin supported within said chamber and positioned with its longitudinal axis transverse to the plane of said door in mounted on an axis transverse to the plane of the door member when in closed position, a bodily movable part operatively connected with said element, a link connected at one end to said part and connected at its opposite end to; one of said members, guide means for said part and spring means operatively assoclated with said element and tendingto move it in one direction about its pivotal axis whereby said door member is urged to a closed position. I

5; In a door closing device, the combination'of a door, a door amb having, a chamber provided therein a pivotally mounted element in said chamber, a springoperatii-ely associated with said element and tending to move it in one direction,'an' operating member for'said elementarranged to slidethereon and a; link connecting said member with said door whereby when the door is opened the action or" said member on said element servesto increase the tension oi said spring. 1 6. In a door closing device, the combination of a door, a door jamb having a chamber provided therein, an element in said chamber pivotally mounted on ahorizontal axis, a

1 link connecting said element and saiddoor,

means tending to turn said element in one d rection about its pivotal 3X18, whereby said door is urged to a closed"position, retarding m'eans connected with said elementtending to checkitsmovement inthe door closing direction, and means for decreasing the retarding actionof said retarding means when the door approaches closing position whereby. to quicken the movement thereof,

' 7. In a door closing device, ajcasing arrangedfor insertion in a chamber in a door .jamb,a crosshead slidablein said casing, a

' linkconnected at oneen-d to said crosshead andhaving its other end arranged for connection witha door, a lug on said crosshead, an element pivotally, mounted in said casing and being constructed with a; bifurcated 'eX- tension, said extension being arrangedto engage said lug between its bi iurcations, spring means associated with saidelement tending to move it in one direction about its pivotal axis, retarding means associated with said element for. opposing the action or" said spring means, said retarding means comprising a vacuum cylinderandapressure cylinder, pistons in said cylinders connected re spectively toe-aid element on opposite sides oi'its pivotal axis, and means for controlling theretarding action of said cylinders whereby saidretarding action is decreased at a predetermined point in the movement of said element about itspivotal axis.

3. In a door closing. device, in combination, a door jamb having a chamber extending longitudinally thereof, an elongated casing secured within said chamber to lie longitudinally of said jamb, a pin secured within said casing having its axis transverse to the plane of the jamb, a member pivotally mounted on said pin, link means for operatively connecting said member to a door, means associated with said membertending to turn it in one direction about the axis of said pin so that the parts will tend to move in the door closing direction, retarding means forsaid member for opposing its movement in the door closing direction, and

means associated with said retarding means M tor decreasing its retarding effect when the door approaches closing position whereby to quicken the movement thereof.

9. ins door closing device, a pivoted element, means for connecting said element to a door, spring means associated with said elenient' tending to move it in one direction aboutits pivotal axis, whereby the door is urged tofa closed position, projections on said element on opposite sides of said axis, retarding means associated with said ele- .ment comprising cylinders, pistons in said cylinders, piston rods connecting said pistons with said projections, whereby. pivotal move- ;ment of said element in the door closing diports, whereby 7 each cylinder is 7 connected ,withthe outside atmosphere to thus decrease its retarding effect.

I V 10;,lnadoor closing device,a pivoted element adapted. to be mounted withm a door jamb, means for connecting said element to a door, spring means associated with said element tending to move it inone direction about its pivotal axis, means for retarding the action ofsaid spring on said element, said means comprising pressure and" vacuum cylinders, pistons in said cylinders, piston rods connected at one end to said pistons and at. the other end to said element on "opposite sides of its pivotal axis ducts connecting said cylinderswith the atmosphere, closure means for simultaneously closing said ducts and means for opening said closure means at a predeteri ined point in the movement of said element about its pivotal axis, whereby the retarding etfect of said cylinders is decreased. v U

11. In a door control device, a pivoted element, spring means acting on said element tending to move it in one direction, retarding means for opposing the movement of said element in such direction, said. retarding means comprising a pair of cylinders, pistons in said cylinders, projections on said element onioppo'site sides of its pivotal axis, rods connecting said pistons and said projections, the arrangement beingfsuch that when said element is turned about its pivotal axis by said spring means, one piston will move in a direc tion to reduce the pressure in its cylinder and the other will move in adirection to increase ill) cylinders, piston rods connected with said pistons atone end and being connected at their other ends to said element, the arrangement being such that when said element is turned about its pivotal. axis by said spring means the pi tons will move in a direction tending respectively to increase and decrease the pressure in their respective cylinders, a duct connecting said cylinders, a check valve in said duct permitting a flow of fluid displaced from one cylinder into the other in one direction only, and restricted passage between the atmosphere and the interior of each cylinder.

13, In a door closing device, a pivoted element adapted to be mounted in door jamb, means for connecting said element to a door, spring means associated with said element tending to move it in one direction about its pivotal axis, means for retarding the action of said spring on said element, said means comprising pressure and vacuum cylinders, pistons in said cylinders, piston rods connected at one end to said pistons and at their other ends to said element on opposite sides of its pivotal axis, ducts connecting said cylinders with the atmosphere, closure means tor simultaneously closing said ducts, means for opening said closure means at a predetermined. ooint in the HIOVQlHQDlof s id element about its pivotal axis, whereby the retarding effect of said cylinders is decreased, a by-pass connecting said ducts intermediate their ends, and a check valve for said by-pass operative to allow movement of air from one cylinder to the other when said element is moving on its axis-in the door opening direction.

14. In a door closing device, the combination of a door, a door jamb having a chamber provided therein a flat elongated casing positioned in said chan'iber to lie longitudinally of said amb and having an aperture in the edge thereof adjacent the edge of the door, a link movable endwise through said aperture and being connected at its outer end to said door, a pin secured within said cas- .ing and positioned transversely to the plane of the door when in closed position, an element mounted for pivotal movement on said pin, said element being connected above its pivotal axis to the inner end of said link,

springmeans associated with said element tending to move the same about its pivotal axis in a direction to close said door, and retarding means positioned witain said casing, below said element and operatively connected thereto sons to oppose th action of said spring means throughout the greater part of the closing movement of said door and arranged when the door approaches closing position to decrease the retarding etlect whereby the spring means will quicken the movement of the door. I I

15. In a door closing device, a fiat elongated casing arranged to be positioned longitudinally within avdoor jamb and having an aperture in the edgethereof, a link movable endwise through said aperture and having its outer end arranged for connection to a door, a pin secured Within said casing positioned transverse to the length thereof, an element pivotally mounted on saidpin, said element being eonnectedaboveits pivotal axis to the inner end of saidlink, spring means associated with said element tending to move'the same about its pivotal axis in a direction to close the door, retarding means positioned within said casing below said element and operatively connected thereto so as'to oppose the action of said spring means, and means associated with said retarding means for decreasing its retarding effect when the door approaches closing position whereby to permit of a quickened closing movement thereof.

in a door closing device, a flat elongated casing arranged to be secured longitudinally within a door a-mb and having an aperture in the edge thereof, a link movable endwise through said aperture and having its outer end. arranged for connection to a door, a pin in said casing positioned transverselyto the length thereof, an element pivotally mounted on said pin, a fixed guide mounted on said casing independently ofsaid element, a slide movable upon said'guide and operatively connected with said element at a point above its pivotal axis and connected to the inner end of said link, spring means assoc1ated wlth said element tending to move the same about its pivotal axis in a direction to close the door, retarding means positioned I 1 within said casing, below said element and operatively connected thereto so as to oppose the action of said spring means, means associated with said retarding means for rendering the same ineltective during the move ment of said eleinent in door opening direction and effective during its movement in door closing direction, and additional means associatedwith said retarding means for decreasing its retarding action at a predeter- I ment and tending to move it in a door closing 7 Ill) op osing the movement of said element in suci direction, said retarding means comprising a pair of cylinders, one of which is oflarger internal diameter than the other,

pistons in said cylinders, projections on said element on opposite sides of its pivotal axis,

rods connecting said pistons and said pro- 'jections, the arrangement being such that when said element is turned about its pivotal axis against the action of said. spring means the piston in the larger cylinder will move in a direction to increase the pressure therein and the piston. in the smaller cylinder will move in a direction to decrease the pressure therein, a duct-connecting saidcylinders, and

acheck valve in said duct permitting flow of air from the larger to the smaller of said cylinders when the pistonfin said larger cylinder is moving in adirection to compress the air therein, thereby creating a pressure in said smaller cylinder.

18. In a-door closing device, a casing 'arranged for insertion within a door jamb, an element pivotally' mounted in said casing, an aperture in said casing, a link movable through said aperture and having its inner end connected to said element above its pivotal axis, the outer end of said link being arranged forengagement with a door, a spring associated withsaid element tending to move it about its pivotal axis in a direction to close the door, a retarding device positioned within said casing below said element, said retarding device comprisinga pair of vertically positioned cylinders, pistons in said cylinders, projections on said member on each side of its pivotal axis, rods connecting said pistons and said projections, the parts being so arranged that one of said pistons will move upwardly and theother downwardly upon pivotal movement of said element, ducts leading from said cylinders, said: ducts. terminating in spaced .,ports, a closure for said ports, means for holding said 'closure in operative position to close the ports, and means for removing said closure from said ports at a predetermined point in the closing movement of the door, and valve means connected with said ducts permitting communication between said cylinders and the atmosphere through said ducts only during the opening movement of the door. 7 a

19. In a door closing device, a casing arranged forinsertion within a door jamb, an

element pivotally mounted in said casing, a

link connected at its inner end to said element above its pivotal axis and being arranged at its outer end for connection with a door, a spring associated with said element tending to move it about its pivotal axis in a direction to close the door, a retarding device positioned within said casing below said element, said retarding device comprising a pair of vertically positioned cylinders, pistons in said cylinders, projections; on said member on each side of its pivotal axis, rods connecting said pistons and said projections, the parts being so arranged that one of said pistons will move upwardly and the other downwardly when said member moves about its pivotal axis, ducts leading from said cylinders and terminating in spaced ports, closure means for said ports, means for operating said closure means, means for actuating said operating means to open said ports at a predetermined point in the closing movement of the door, valve means connected with said cylinders permitting free communication between said cylinders and the atmosphere only during the opening movement of thedoor, and restricted passage connecting each cylinder and the atmosphere.

20. A .door closing device for operation.

between a door member and a door jamb member comprising a frame arranged to be fixed upon one of said members, an element aivotally mounted on said frame for a swinging movement thereon, a fixed guide-mounted on said frame independently of said ele- 'inent, a part slidable upon said guide and arranged to slide upon said element for swinging it'in one direction, a link connected with'said part and arranged for connection with the other of said members for operation thereby, means acting on'said element when the door member is opened tending to swing the latter to a closed position, retarding 21. Aidoor closing device for operation between opposing door and door jamb members comprising a frame arranged to be fixed upon one ofsaid' members, an element pivotally mounted on said frame for a swinging movement thereon, a fixed guide mounted 011 said frame independently of said element, a device slidable upon said guide and movable relatively to and arranged to slide upon a portion of said element to swing it in one direction, a link having one end connected with said device and the other arranged for connection with the member opposing said last mentioned member, means acting on said element when the door member is opened tending to swing it in a direction to close the door member, and retarding means associated with said element for opposing movement of said noor member in a closing direction and arranged to decrease the retarding effect when said door member approaches closing position. i I,

22. A door closing device for operation between opposing door and door jamb members comprising a frame arranged to be secured upon one of said members, an element pivoted upon said frame, a fixed guide mounted on said frame independently of said element, a device slidable upon said guide and having a part in sliding engagement with said element for swinging it in one direction upon opening said door member, means tending to urge said element in a direction to close said door member, a part pivotally connected at one end of said device and having its other end arranged for connection with the member opposing said last mentioned member and retarding means for said element tending to retard said door nember during the closing movement there- 0 23. A door closing device for operation between opposing door and door jamb members comprising a frame arranged to be secured in one of said members, an element pivoted upon said frame, a fixed guide secured to said frame independently of said element, a slide movable upon said guide and having a part arranged to engage said element to swing it in one direction, operating means for said slide engaging the latter and arranged to be connected with the member opposing said last mentioned member for moving said pivoted element in one direction When the door member is being opened, means acting on said element for returning the door member to closed position, and means associated with said element tending to retard its movement during the closing movement of said door member.

24. A door closing device for operation between opposing door and door jamb members comprising a frame arranged to be secured in one of said members, an'element pivoted upon said frame, a fixed guide mounted on said frame independently of said element, a slide movable upon the guide and having a part arranged to engage said element to swing it in one direction, operating means for said slide engaging the latter and arranged to be connected with the member opposing said. last mentioned member for moving said pivoted element in one direction when the door member is being opened, means acting on said element for returning the door member to closed position, and pneumatic means associated With said element tending to retard its movement during the closing movement of said door member and arranged to decrease the retarding action when the door member approaches closing position to permit of a relatively quick movement of the door member to closed position.

25. A door closing device for operation between a door member and door jamb mem-.

ment thereon, a fixed guide mounted on said frame independently of said element, a part slidable upon said guide and in sliding engagement with said element and having a portion arranged for connection to the other of said members for operation thereby, means acting on said element when the door member is opened tending to swing the latter to a closed position, retarding means associated with said element for opposing movement of said door member in a closing direction, control means for said retarding means arranged to decrease its retarding effeet when said door member approaches closing position whereby to permit of a quickened closing action of said door member, and a spring pressed brake arranged to frictionally engage said element for a portion of the closing movement of said door member.

REUBEN HILL. 

